Comparing High-flow Nasal Cannula and Conventional Oxygen Therapy for High-altitude Pulmonary Edema Treatment

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether High-flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy HFNC offers better respiratory support than Conventional Oxygen Therapy COT in patients suffering from High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema HAPE. HAPE is a serious condition occurring at high altitudes, and while COT is the standard treatment, the effectiveness of HFNC in this specific context is not well understood. This study aims to clarify the role of HFNC in improving respiratory function and speeding recovery for HAPE patients. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups one receiving HFNC with a specialized system that includes active humidification and heated-wire circuits delivered through a wide nasal cannula, alongside standard medical care the other receiving COT plus standard medical care. The study compares these two oxygen therapies during the treatment period lasting around 3 to 5 days, with monitoring up to 7 days to assess treatment success and other health outcomes. During the study, participants undergo assessments such as lung CT scans, oxygen saturation monitoring, and evaluations of oxygen therapy-related complications. Researchers track the time to stop supplemental oxygen, changes in lung severity scores, and the proportion of treatment failures. Participants are observed from the start of treatment until discharge, with safety and treatment effectiveness measured closely throughout the approximately one-week study period.

High-flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy Versus Conventional Oxygen Therapy in High-altitude Pulmonary Edema